Number 131-133

Please note that all dates are approximate.

If you have any further information, documents, photos or memories about this shop let us know in the comments section at the bottom or on Annan The History Town Group Facebook page.

If you click/tap on a photo it will enlarge that photo and give you the pictures as a slideshow.

2021 © V. Russell

Mystery: It appears that 131 and 133 may have originally been a house and a shop.

Mystery:1902 John Graves ?? was in the shop in Number 131 but ...

1904 Kerr Chalmers & Co Ltd, Joiner/cabinet maker were advertising as 131& 133.

1904 D Watt Directory

1906 -1910 W Gass, plumber

1905 Solway Cafe established but plans below show the refurbishments done in 1915

Thanks to Solway Cafe

1915

1915 Plans for Number 131 in Annan Museum

Advert from 1917

Thanks to Solway Cafe

1988 RoM showed this photo from 1924

Baldiciero Toni came to Annan and was joined in the business by his brother Giovanni. 'Baldi' as he was popularly known had 2 sons Mario and Ettore, while Giovanni, popularly known as 'Jock' had a son was called Carlo. In the 60's it was Carlo's son, also called Giovanni, who was carrying on the business.

Memories: Carlo was a fine billiard and cricket player. He had a billiard hall above the Cafe.

Memories: Top Toni's, as the Solway Cafe was known, was where the message boys used to meet on a Saturday to eat Midge suppers & McCallums - chips & peas & ice cream with raspberry sauce & a wafer. Each boy would exaggerate how much they had made in tips for delivering messages.

Mrs Toni outside the cafe.

Thanks to Solway Cafe

Mr Toni, Mrs Toni's brother and a lady who worked in the cafe ...

Thanks to Solway Cafe

1988 RoM photo of Mario at the wheel of a 1930's ice cream limousine

Memories: In the 1930's they had a pony-drawn ice cream cart touring the country roads & villages in the afternoons - to Powfoot on a Sunday in the summer. 'Skipper' Sherry drove it for many years.